Swarm collections
Annual honey competition
Lifestyle, Gardening, and Harvest Festivals
Practical field days
Swarm collections
Beekeeping courses - February and November
Beekeeping courses - February and November
Practical field days
Beekeeping demonstrations and talks

icon_meetingMonthly Meetings

Club meetings are held monthly from January to November. Our meetings are fun, friendly, interactive and educational. We strive to have a variety of speakers, talking on various related subjects. Meetings are open for anyone to come along and check us out, and are followed by supper and a chance to talk with friends, and make new ones. Learn More

icon_swarmSwarm Collection

Honeybees natural survival instinct sometimes causes them to swarm - most commonly because their current colony is overcrowded. Swarming bees may be intimidating, but they are unlikely to sting when swarming. Please don't disturb or try to kill a swarm - call a beekeeper to come and collect them. Learn More

icon-educationEducation

The Manawatu Bee Club runs a two day beginners course twice a year, in spring and autumn. The course is aimed to give new beekeepers the skills and information needed to start them on their journey, and get their hives through the seasons. Both classroom and hands-on sessions are included. Learn More

Education

Beginners Bee Education Days

Next course - March 8th and 9th 2025

If you would like to express your interest in attending a future course, please email   and we can notify you when dates are set for the next course.

The Manawatu Bee Club typically holds a Beginners Bee Education Days course over one weekend in February and in November. These courses are held over two consecutive days, including both theory and practical sessions.  The course is a repeat of the courses run previously which were very well received. It is designed to give you the confidence to be a beekeeper, teaching all the basic aspects of beekeeping using the Langstroth hive system. Most procedures are also relevant to other hive systems, and we're happy to answer questions around Top Bar and Warre hives as best we can.

TOPICS COVERED

  • First year beekeeping experiences
  • Literature, books, websites etc to read
  • Rules and regulations relating to registering hives
  • Life cycle of the hive
  • Bee Biology
  • Bee products
  • Protective Equipment
  • Hiveware
  • How to assemble your hive woodware
  • Laundering and hygiene
  • Club membership
  • Where to position your hives
  • Diseases and pests
  • Rules and regulations relating to AFB
  • Colony management incl swarm control methods
  • Month by month tasks
  • Splitting and Requeening
  • Honey extraction

COST

$120 per person. This includes course book and tuition with experienced beekeepers. Morning tea, lunches and refreshments will be provided.

CLOTHING

A full bee suit and gloves will need to be worn for the practical sessions - the club has these available to use for the duration of the practical sessions. Please wear / bring long socks and gumboots or closed shoes as ankles are a sometimes overlooked area that bees can get at and sting.

LOCATION

The course will be held in the PNCC Conference room at the Recycling Centre, Maxwells Line, Palmerston North (directions will be given).

The course will be limited to 25 people, get in quick so you don't miss out.


About the Manawatu Beekeepers Club

The Manawatu Beekeepers Club is focused on coordinating and promoting a variety of educational and social programs and services. These programs and services provide both beekeepers and the general public with opportunities to gain knowledge about beekeeping and honey bees.

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